tension

1 of 2

noun

ten·​sion ˈten(t)-shən 

1

a

: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion

b

: a state of latent hostility or opposition between individuals or groups

c

: a balance maintained in an artistic work between opposing forces or elements

2

a

: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness : tautness

b

: stress sense 1b

3

a

: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension

b

: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body

4

: a device to produce a desired tension (as in a loom)

tensional

ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

tensionless

ˈten(t)-shən-ləs 

adjective

tension

2 of 2

verb

tensioned; tensioning ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to subject to tension

especially : to tighten to a desired or appropriate degree

tensioner

ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• pressure
• stress
• strain

Examples of tension in a Sentence

Noun

You can see she is just filled with tension about her job.

The dramatic tension was very satisfying.

The author resolves the tension too soon.

Political tensions in the region make it unstable.

Do you sense the tension between those two?

There was a lot of tension at the meeting.

The book describes the tension-filled days before the war.

He felt a tension between duty and love.

There will always be some tension between the desire to reduce risk and the desire to make as much money as possible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This national narrative sat in tension with a growing regionalism, seen in the rise of local historians and small museums. —JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, tensions remain high, with further accusations of airspace violations linked to Russia likely to continue. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

Verb

Iran tensions Britain's maritime agency warned on June 11 that increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways. —Daphne Psaledakis, USA Today, 11 May 2025

In terms of speech, this means the neurons needed to convert the desire to say a word into the muscle activity needed to control the mouth and tongue, expel sufficient breath, and tension the vocal cords. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French and Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin tensiōn-, tensiō "process of drawing tight, constriction, spasm," from tendere "to extend outward, stretch, draw tight" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at tender entry 3

Verb

derivative of tension entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tension

• high-tension
• premenstrual tension
• surface tension
• tension headache

Rhymes for tension

• gentian
• mention
• pension
• apprehension
• comprehension
• condescension
• hypertension
• hypotension
• reinvention
• reprehension
• resuspension
• attention

Kids Definition

tension

noun

ten·​sion

ˈten-chən

1

a

: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness

tension of a muscle

b

: stress entry 1 sense 1c

2

a

: a state of mental unrest that is often accompanied by physical signs (as perspiring) of emotion

b

: a state of unfriendliness between individuals or groups

Medical Definition

tension

noun

ten·​sion ˈten-chən 

1

a

: the act or action of stretching or the condition or degree of being stretched to stiffness

muscular tension

b

: stress sense 1b

2

a

: either of two balancing forces causing or tending to cause extension

b

: the stress resulting from the elongation of an elastic body

3

: inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion

4

: partial pressure

tensional

ˈtench-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

adjective

tensionless

ˈten-chən-ləs 

adjective